On 1st April 2008, ninety members assembled and celebrated the 84th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.  Everybody looked quite elegant and it was wonderful to see so many of the assembly wearing their old mess kits!!! 

 

PMC was Chuck Hazleton, Vice PMC Gary Thompson.  Our guest speaker was Col. Fred Bigelow,  Commander 19 Wing Comox.    386 Sqn. RCAC band provided music throughout dinner and the assembly showed their appreciation with a standing ovation!!!  Dinner was catered by Country Catering … a meal that not only featured beautiful presentation but was heartily enjoyed!

 

Servers for the evening were Jean Hnatiuk, Darlene Lewis, Joan Scott, Marguerite Fournier, Yvonne Melancon, and Susan Durham under the direction of Monique Thompson and Joyce Hallowell.  A special thankyou to Vee Hampshire who spent two mornings assisting with set-up and being our "gopher"!  The assistance of the air cadets was sorely missed this year!!!  Our bartenders were Jim Scott and Wayne Steck who did an excellent job and put in a VERY long shift!!!  And let's not forget to give a round of applause to our volunteer drivers, Len Doyle and Ted Forget,  who not only picked up a number of members and took them to the dinner, but stayed around til the wee, small hours ensuring that everybody was safely delivered home!!!   The shuttle vans were provided once again courtesy of Brian Rice Toyota.  Many thanks to everyone who made this such a successful and memorable evening.

 

Photographs courtesy of Pete Hills and Nils Ling.  (Click on any photo for actual view)

 

A poignant touch to the evening's formalities was K.D. Macdonald's  presentation of the significance of the Fallen Comrades Table.  That text is as follows:

 

The Fallen Comrades Table

 

Let us pause to remember the brave men and women who have given their lives in the service of their country. In their honor, we have set a special place at the solitary table located here on the Dias.

The table is round to show everlasting concern for those who have paid the supreme sacrifice.

The tablecloth is white to symbolize the purity of their intentions and response to Canada’s call to duty.

The table, set for one, is small for they are now separated from home, family and comrades.

The chair is empty for they are absent.

The inverted glass reminds us that they are unable to join us in these festivities.

The slice of lemon reminds us of their bittersweet fate;

The salt signifies the tears shed by loving family members over their loss.

The black napkin stands for the emptiness their absence has left in our hearts.

The rose reminds us of our fond memories of them.

The candle is there to light their path.

Tonight, in spirit, they join us remembering those who have given their tomorrows for our today.

 

They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.